ZAGREB, March 22, 2018 – The Croatian government on Thursday put forward to the parliament a bill on audiovisual activities that more precisely defines the model of selection and the scope of jurisdiction of members of the Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC), including the Croatian Audiovisual Council that decides on the distribution of funds for the implementation of national programmes for promoting audio-visual creative work.
The four-year programme, drafted by the HAVC Council, is to be adopted by the government following a proposal made by the Culture Ministry. The Council is supposed to inform the ministry once a year about the implementation of the said programme.
Minister Nina Obuljen Koržinek said that the new legislation additionally reinforced the existing framework in the audiovisual industry that has great potential for attracting investments. “Participating in a large number of festivals makes Croatia more recognisable,” she said, adding that co-production projects helped Croatia to absorb 2.3 times more money than Croatia’s payments into international funds. This is an argument that proves the vitality of audiovisual industry, she said.
The draft law also defines in detail categories within the audiovisual industry and introduces video gaming as “a growing industry in Croatia”.
The role of the Culture Ministry in supervising public money spending has been strengthened. “The Croatian Audiovisual Centre is the government-backed strategic agency for the audiovisual sector in Croatia. It aims to stimulate a successful, vibrant audiovisual industry as well as to promote the widest possible enjoyment and understanding of audiovisual works throughout Croatia,” according to information on the HAVC web site.
“It was founded in 2008 as a result of the new Law on Audiovisual Activities unanimously passed by the Croatian Parliament in July 2007. It is funded by the grant-in-aid from the government and through contributions of all those using audiovisual works, such as broadcasters, digital, cable and satellite operators, internet providers, telecoms, etc.”
